Door closer



.l 19 I 62% 9M Aprn 19, 27 T. BRADY 9 9 DOOR CLOSER ,Filed Feb, 15, 1923 3 sheets-sheet 1 [N V EN TOR 7770271425 Brad] A TTORNE Y wizwm T. BRADY -DOOR CLOSER April 1 1927.

s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l5."l923 INVENTOR 720mm; Brady ATTORNEY April 19,1927. mmm

T, BRADY DOOR CLOSER Filed Feb. 15. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet: 5

IN VEN TOR 750mm; ,Braqiy BYZWM A TTORNE Y and Apr. 19, 12v.

THOMAS BRADY, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSEGFL MENTS, TO. DTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY,

new JERSEY.

Application filed February This invention relates to door closers and, particularly, to closers such as are used for elevator hatchway doors.

It is common practice at the present time to manufacture door closers of diii'erent This invention has for its object to provide a a standard closure, device so constructed and arrangedthat it can be readily adjusted and effectively flused with a plurality of different sizes of door installations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door actuating and checking or cash-- ioning mechanism so constructed and arranged that it will operate efi'ectively, w1ll I 'be durable and will not be subject to leakage and other efiects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door closure so constructed as to be capable of adjustment in a manner to properly aline the operating links so as to reduce to a minimum the friction between the courting parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that is simple in construction, eflicient in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Further ob ects of the invention will ap pear from the following specification taken in connection with the drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which:

Fig. 1- is anelevational view of a door installation showing operating and checkin mechanism constructed in accordance wit the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

- Fig. 3 is a sectional" elevation similar to Fig. 2, but showing the door section in open position.

' Fig- 4 is a sectional elevation illustrating the construction of the actuating and cushioningineans iorthe door closure mechanism. I c

Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view on an enlarged scale showing the pivotal connec- OF NEW YORK. N3. 51., A COBPQ'EILON @F DOOR CLOSER.

15, ms. serial lie. eialesi.

tion between one of the operating links and one of the door sections.

Fig. 6 isan elevational angles to Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the pivotal connection between adjacent links.

Fig. 8 isn. transverse sectional elevation so "taken substantially on line 8-8 of" Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the handle. Fig. 10 is an end view taken at right angles to Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional elevation showas ing the roller mounting for the door sections.

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional elevation showing the guiding means for the lower ends of the door sections.

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional elevation at of a cylinder taken substantially on 13-13 of Fig. 4. Fig. let is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 13 but taken substantially on line lei-14 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 15 is an elevational view on an enlarged scale showing the'construction of the adjustable joints between the sections of the end link which is pivoted to the fixed abutment, and I Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 15.

The invention briefly described consists of means for operating'a plurality of sliding line door sections and't'his means comprises links 35 pivotally connected to the door sections and to each other, one of the end links being pivoted on a fixed pivot. In order to adapt the device {or use in connection with the v difi'erent sizes of door sections and door ill-910 stallations, means is provided for adjustably connecting the links to the door sections and for adjustably connecting the links to each other. The end link which is connected to a fixed pivot is tions are adjustably connected so that the links may be properly alined with reference to the doors, as, in or er to avoid undue friction, the links should be disposed inplanes parallel to the planes of the door sections. we

The invention also includes actuating and cushioning means for operating the links The actuating means preferably includes a tension spring connected at one end to a rod view taken at right lid made sectional and the scce5 which is adjustably connected to the end link and the rod is slidably mounted in a cylinder and has mounted on its end a piston operating in'the cylinder. The cylinderis preferably pivotally connected to a fixed pivot. The actuating means includes a piston and cylinder and a by-pass in the cylinder wall for conducting the fluid, such as oil, around the piston as the piston is moving downwardly in the cylinder and approaches the bottom of the cylinder. A pas sage through the piston is provided for permitting the fluid to pass downwardly as the piston is raised and this passage is controlled by a contact valve. Various adjustments between the coacting parts will be described in the detailed description which follows and in which further details of the invention will be set forth. I

In the embodiment of the invention shown the door comprises a stationary section and sl-i'dable sections -21 and 22, these two latter sections being adapted to move into overlapping position with the stationary section 20 as shown in Fi 3.

The door sections may be mounted in anydesired manner and in the particular form of the invention illustrated each of the sections 21 and 22 is provided with rollers 23 mounted on a rail 24 disposed above the hatchway opening. The door sections are also guided by means of tending webs 25 (see Fig. 12) which are disposed in slots 26 formed in a plate 27 mounted at the bottom of the hatchway opening.

Operating means for the slidable door sections comprises a plurality of links A, B and C. The link A is adjustably mounted in a clamp 30 which is pivoted at 31 on a plate 32 secured to the door section 22. The construction of the clamp 30 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 and from these figures it will be seen that the clamp comprises parallel plates 33 and 34 adapted to receive between them the end portion of the link A and when this link has been properly ad- 'usted in the clamp,

y means of screws 35. A lug 36 extends upwardly from the clamp and is pivoted as before stated at 31 to the plate 32'. i

The link A is pivotally connected to the link B through an adjustable clamp 40 illustrated in detail in Figs. 7 and 8 -This clamp' comprises parallel plates 41 and 42 adapted to receive etween them one end portion of the link B and screws 43 secure this link portion in its adjusted position. The'clam 40 is connected by a pivot in 44 to the lin A.

The link B is pivota ly connected intermediate its ends to the do'or section 21 in the followin manner. A bracket is preferably adjustably secured to one side edge of the section 21, this bracket having a plate 51 formed thereon. The link B is ad downwardly exthe clamp is tightened justably connected to the plate 51 by means of a clamp 52 exactly similar in construction to the clamp 30 already described and,

therefore, the details of this clanf1p will'not be specifically explained. The link B is pivotally connected to the free'end of the link G by means of a clamp 55 exactly similar-in construction to the clamp 40 already detion of the hatchway is not uniform, it is desirable to provide means for adjustably connecting the sections C, C and C of thc end link 0 to eachother for the purpose of" properly alining theli'nks A, B and C as these links should be disposed in planes parallel to the plapes of the door sections in order to operate effectively and with a minimum amount of friction. These adjustable Since dimensions vary and the construeconnections are particularly illustrated .in I

Figs. 15 and 16 and may be described as follows. The section C of the end link'has secured to one end an adjustable-clamp 65 similar in construction to the clamps already described.

has formed on one end parallel ears 67 so spaced apart as to receive the ear 66 as shown in Figs. 1 and 15. Each of these cars has an opening formed therethrough and the The clamp 65, however, hasformed thereon an car 66 and the section C3.

opening is preferably star-shaped or pro vided with radial notches 68. These openings are adapted to register when the ears 66 and 67'are placed in overlapping relation. 7

and the clam 65 is connected to the end of the section 2 by means of a bolt 70., This bolt is also star-shaped in section and properly dimensioned to fit within the openings in the ears 66 and 67. The bolt 70 has reduced threaded extensions 71 and 72 and on these extensions are mounted nuts 73' In order to adjust'the sections C and C, the

bolt 70, which. connects these partsyis removed and the link C is properly alined with reference to the links A and B and with reference to the planes of the door sections. The section C is then angled "to the desired position and the bolt 7 O is inserted and there- 1 after the nuts {1Y6 tightened securely clamping these parts in" adjusted position. A similar joint is formed between the sections C and C, this joint being indicated by the reference character 75 and as this joint is exactly similar to that already described, no further explanation thereof is deemed necessar rom the foregoing description, it will be seen that a wide range of adjustment between the sections C, C and C can be obtained and that these sections can be propand 10 wherein it will be seen that the handle comprises parallel plates 81 and 82 which receive between them the end of the link B.

Screws 83 are provided for clamping these,

plates to the link. A hand grip or extension 84 is formed on the plate 81. It will, of course, he understood that if the operator desires the handle can be secured tothe links in another position as, for instance, to the link 13 on the opposite side of the pivotal connection between the links A and B. The

position of the handle will be determined by the SIZE and reach ot the operator.

The actuating and cushioning mechanism for the door closure will now lie described.

This mechanism comprises a rod 90 adjustably connected by a socket 91 threaded to the upper end of the rod to an exten ion 92 formed on the section C of the link C. "T he socket 91 is pivoted at 93 to the extension 92.

The rod 90 extends downwardly into a cylinder 94, the lower end of which is closed by a plug 95 and this plug is pivoted at 90 on a bracket 97 secured to the strip 02. A gasket 98 is preferably inserted between a shoulder 99 formed on the plug and the lower end of the cylinder to prevent leakage.

The link operating mechanism comprises a sleeve 100 having a nut 101 threaded on its upper end and secured thereto in adjusted position by set screws 102. The nut 101 is threaded as shown at 103 on the upper portion of the rod 90. The lower end of the sleeve 100 is hellshaped or flared outwardly as shown at 104 and has mounted thereon a hell-shaped washer 105. A tension spring 100 is mounted as shown in Fig. 4 on the outer surface of the washer 105 and the lower end of the spring is secured by means of a plurality of hooked-shaped bolts 107 to a collar 108 which in turn is secured by a plurality of set scrcws-109 which engage in recesses 10$) formed in the outer surface of the cylinder 04; From.tho foregoing descript'on it will be seen that as the links A, B and C are moved by the operator to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, the upward movement of the link (1 and of the end section of this link will draw the rod 90 upwardly thereby placing the spring 106 under tension since the opposite end of the spring 106 is securely clamped to the cylinder and the cylinder is pivotally mounted on the fixed pivot 96. The tension of the spring can be adjusted by turning the nut 101 since this will cause the sleeve 100 to move longitudinally on the red 00 and within the washer 105.

The cushioning means comprises a piston 110 pivoted at 111 to the lower end of the rod 90 and disposed within the cylinder 94. The lower end portion of the cylinder is adapted to receive fluid, such as oil, and a filling opening 112 is provided, this opening being closed by a plug 113. Attention is called tothe fact that this opening is disposed at the proper level to insure the requi site amount of tluid in the cylinder and to efi'ectively prevent an oversupply of fluid from being ilrerted since the cylinder cannot be tilled above the opening.

The piston 110 is provided with a passage 1M extending therethrough from the top to the bottom and at the bottom of tits piston the passage is enlarged as shown at 115 and in this enlargement there is mounted a ball check valve 116. This check valve opens downwardly and closes upwardly and a pin 117 is provided for supportin the ball when the piston is travelin r upwart 1y. W'hen the piston moves upwardly in the cylinder the fluid will pass downwardly through the passage 114 since the check valve is open. When the piston moves downwardly, however, the check valve will close and the fluid cannot pass through the piston.

One wall of the cylinder 91 is provided with a by-pass 120 communicating with the bottom of the cylinder through a' ort 121 and communicating with the cylinller at a point above the bottom through a port 12:2. The size of the opening through the port 12'. can be regulated by an adjustable nccdlc valve 123.

The lower end of the piston is preferably beveled as shown at 124.

\Vhen the piston travels upwardly it is desirable that the fluid shall pass downwardly therethrough or to the lower portion of the cylinder with as little impedance as ptasible. In order to etl'ect this ready passage of the fluid, the upper portion of the cylinder is fluted or provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 125 but the lower portion of the cylinder through which the piston travels during the cushioning operation is cylindrical and has no grooves therein.

In order to guide the rod 90 through the upper end of the cylinder. an extension 1:10 is formed thereon, this extension having a chamber 131 therein communicating through a passage 132 with the upper portion of the cylinder and having an air vent 1:33 at the upper end thereof. Attention is called to undue leakage of oil through the chamber 131 from the cylinder 94.

A casing 135 is secured at one end to the collar 108 and at its opposite end to a collar 136 mounted on the sleeve 100. This casing encloses the spring 106. The collar 136 is provided with an air vent 137 at its upper end.

As shown in Fig. 4 the bypass 120 is formed by drilling into one end of the cyl inder wall and this wall is formed with an enlargement or is of increased thickness on the side where the by-pass is located. The open end of the drilled hole is closed by a screw 110 and a gasket 111 is preferably inserted between the screw and the end of the cylinder wall.

The door closure mechanism is in.:ta1led and operated in the following manner. The door sections are first moved to the closed position shown in Fig. 1. The links A, B and (J are then pivotally connected to each other and pivoted to the door sections in such a position that they will be properly alined with reference to each other and to the door sections. The sections of the link G, namely, G, C and C are then relatively adjusted with reference to each other and pivotally connected. at to the bracket (51 in such a manner that the links A, B and U will be disposed parallel to each other and to the door sections. The operating and cushioning means is then secured to the section 0 of the link C at the pivot point 93 and the opposite end of this means is otcd at 96 to the bracket 97. Before the ends of the actuating and cushioning means are connected to the extension 92 and bracket 97 respectively, the socket 91 will be adj usted to properly position the rod 90 and the nut 101 will be turned on the rod 90 to place the desired tension on the spring 100. \V hen these parts have been adjusted in the manner described'and thehandle has been mounted in the desired position on the links, the mechanism may be operated as follows.

Assuming that the doors are in closed position, the operator will pull downwardly on the handle 80 thereby causing the door sections 21 and 22 to slide to the position :hown in Fig. 3 and the links'A, B and C will take the positions shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. As the link 0 is swung upwardly. th extension 92 on the section of the link will move from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position or approximately at right angles to its initial position. This will can e the rod 90 to be pulled outwardly placing the spring 106 under tension and raising the piston 110 in the cylinder 94. As the piston is raised, the fluid in the cylinder will pass downwardly through the passage 114 and also through the grooves 125 to the portion of the cylinder below the piston. \Vhen the piv- operator closes the doors, the handle 80 is released whereupon the tension spring 106 will pull the rod 90 downwardly, causing the links to move back to their initial positions. As the rod 90 and piston 110 ap proach their lower position, thepiston will come into contact with the fluid in the cylinder and will force the fluid through the by-pas 120, the .rate of flow of the fluid being detern'iined by adjustment of the needle valve 123. Thus during the final portion of the door closing movement, the movement. will be checked or cushioned thereby preventing slamming of the doors and avoiding a noisy operation thereof.

1t has been found desirable to provide means whereby the elevator car circuit is opened when the hatchway doors are opened aml is closed, permitting the operation of the car, only when the doors are closed. In the present intanee this is accomplished by means of a link 150 pivoted to the extension 92 on the section 0 of the link 0 and pivotally connected at its upper end to a bar 151 which in turn hassecured thereto a blade 152 of a knife switch. This blade completes the circuit through the switch contacts 153 when the link C is in door closing position but is swung upwardly as shown on the dotted lines in Fig. 1 away from the contacts 15- when the door is open.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that simple, practical and ell'ective means has been designed for accomplishing the objects-of the invention. By means of the various adjustments a standard outfit can lie manufactured and applied to doors of various sizes and dimensions. Furthermore, the adjustments described permit the accurate mounting of the device when installed and facilitate the proper alinement and thereby eliminate all unnecessary friction. The use of the tension spring as.. descrihed is particularly desirable since compression springs have a tendency to get out of alinement and rub against the spring housing. Moreover, when the tension spring is expanded it tends to decrease its diameter instead of increase as is the case with a compression, spring. Attention is also again directed to the cushioning means and to the particular features pointed out whereby the leakage of oil is eliminated and the proper functioning of the device is insured.

Although the door illustrated in the drawings has two sliding sections, it will be understood that, if desired, a single sliding section or more than two sliding sections may he used, without change in the operating mechanism, except as to the number of links used.

Although one specific embodiment of the invention has been particularlyshown and described, it will be understood that the invention is capable of modification and that der and having a p ston thereon,

'when the piston is changes in the arrangement and in the construction of the various cooperating parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. Door check or cushioning mechanism comprising a'rod, a piston connected thereto, a cylinder receiving said piston and adapted to be connected to a fixed abutment, a bypass through the cylinder Wall and communi 'ating with the lower end of the cylinder through a lateral opening therein, the bottom of said piston being beveled.

2. Door cushioning mechanism comprising a cylinder, a rod extending into said cylina fluid bypass through the cylinder Wall for conducting fluid from the space in the. cylinder below the piston to the space above the piston disposed in the lower end portion of the cylinder and a chamber surrounding the rod and eonn'minicating at one end with. the cylinder at one side of the rod and having an air vent located on the opposite side of the rod and at the opposite end of the chamber. i

3. Door actuating. and checking mechanism comprising a rod operatively connected to the door, hydraulic checking mechanism operated by said rod, a tension spring, connected to said rod and to a fixed abutment a'nd encircling said hydraulicchecking mechanism, for closing the door and a casing surrounding said spring.

4. Door actuating mechanism comprising a rod operatively connected to the door, a member connected to a fixed abutment, a tension spring connected to said abutment and to said rod, a casing surrounding said spring and spaced therefrom,

the connection between the rod and spring being constructed to center the spring and to prevent contact between the casing and spring, said rod being slidable.

5. Door closingand checking mechanism comprising a cylinder. a rod having a piston secured thereto and disposed in said cylinder, a spring secured to said rod and surrounding and secured to said cylinder, and a casing secured 'to the cylinder and surrounding the sprinm 6. Door closing and checking mechanism comprising a cylinder. :1 rod having a piston secured thereto and disposed in said cylinder, a tube surrounding a portion of and secured to said rod, a spring secured to said tube and to said cylinder and surrounding the cylinder, and a casing secured to said cylinder and surrounding said spring.

7. Door closing and checking mechanism comprising a cylinder. a rod having a piston secured thereto and disposed in said cylinder, a tube surrounding a portion of and secured to said rod. and a spring secured to said tube and to said cylinder and surrounding the cylinder. said tube being adj ustably connected to said rod whereby the tension of the spring can be regulated.

8. Door closing and checking mechan sm comprising a cylinder, a rod having a piston secured thereto and disposed in said cylinder. a collar surrounding and secured to said cylinder, :1 spring secured to said rod and to said collar, and a casing surrounding said spring and secured to said collar, sa-id rod being slidable through one end of the casing. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of February. 1923.

THOMAS BRADY 

